I believe that Steampunk is more than just brass and watchparts. It's finding a way to combine the past and the future in an aesthetic pleasing yet still punkish way. It's living a life that looks old-fashioned, yet speaks to the future. It's taking the detritus of our modern technological society and remaking it into useful things. Join me as I search for items for my house that combine the scientific romanticism of the Victorians with our real present and imagined future.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Bustin' Out

Josie sent me this image from Cote de Texas, commenting that using light colors was easier for renters and husbands... Me, I immediately focused on the bust -- I'm not sure what it is about busts (perhaps the pretentious classical education references?), but they are immensely appealing right now.

I like the backstory idea -- an old roommate and I had a oil portrait that had been in her family (they bought it for the frame and never bothered removing the paiting) that we referred to affectionately as "Great Aunt Josephine." (Then I ended up naming the steampunklet for her, go figure. Not really, but they do share the name...)

I am not a big bust man.... hmm, maybe that didn't come out right! I am not terribly excited by busts... alright, let's agree there is no particularly good way to say this.But that map behind the David is really amazing.

If tracking one down fails... find a styro or plastic wig head display and paper-mache (sp?) the heck out of it. If there are parts of the face that do not satisfy you, break them off. Paint it whatever color you like.

The more I think of this, the more I want to do it. And I'm starting to think that embedding metal bits in a styro head would work well, too...

If you have a picture of the bust with its original color (or can edit the image appropriately), you could try a gazopa.com search for a similar image. Maybe someone else posted the same bust with more info.

I was browsing interior design blogs when I came across yours. Your take on busts as decor was very interesting. I was even more intrigued by your discussion of painting it a darker color to ease the pretentious aspect of a bust. Window treatments also help dress up a home, and they can be in whatever style suits your home and your personality the best; after all it is true that you must dress your windows appropriately to bring out their true beauty. Thank you for writing and as a special thanks to you and your readers, I would like to offer a 20% off coupon using this code upon checkout: BLG20.